Jack McKee
Jack's latest writings
A Day in my Summer Shop Class
My summer class was set up in a double garage. The workbenches were inside but with the door open we were able to use the outside area in front of the garage, all in all a nice space. Although the class is woodworking, I always have a table of puzzles (mechanical, electrical, wood) my marble roll and builder boards. I bring these extra things so kids can have something to do before everyone arrives, if they finish... (posted by Jack 3 years 354 days ago.)
My summer class was set up in a double garage. The workbenches were inside but with the door open we were able to use the outside area in front of the garage, all in all a nice space. Although the class is woodworking, I always have a table of puzzles (mechanical, electrical, wood) my marble roll and builder boards. I bring these extra things so kids can have something to do before everyone arrives, if they finish... (posted by Jack 3 years 354 days ago.)
Three Mechanical Puzzles: the Faucet, the Lock and the Lawnmower Engine
The kids in my summer class loved to take apart VCR’s, record players and typewriters, but I didn’t want them to come away with the idea that you only took things apart. I began looking for simple mechanical devices kids could take apart, see how they worked, and then put back together. Then the obvious occurred to me: how alike puzzles and mechanical things are. Many people... (posted by Jack 3 years 354 days ago.)
The kids in my summer class loved to take apart VCR’s, record players and typewriters, but I didn’t want them to come away with the idea that you only took things apart. I began looking for simple mechanical devices kids could take apart, see how they worked, and then put back together. Then the obvious occurred to me: how alike puzzles and mechanical things are. Many people... (posted by Jack 3 years 354 days ago.)
Take It Apart
One of the most rewarding activities I’ve done with young children is taking things apart. Together we have disassemble flashlights, record players, vacuum cleaners, faucets, blenders, drills, VCRS, drills and lawn mower engines--almost everything except television sets, which are quite dangerous. Little did I realize that what began as an attempt to entertain my son would evolve into teaching a “shop class" at Montessori school and... (posted by Jack 3 years 354 days ago.)
One of the most rewarding activities I’ve done with young children is taking things apart. Together we have disassemble flashlights, record players, vacuum cleaners, faucets, blenders, drills, VCRS, drills and lawn mower engines--almost everything except television sets, which are quite dangerous. Little did I realize that what began as an attempt to entertain my son would evolve into teaching a “shop class" at Montessori school and... (posted by Jack 3 years 354 days ago.)
Builder Boards, a Playhouse Kids Build Themselves
As a builder and newly minted preschool teacher I found children loved activities I was able to create from the world of tools, building and fixing. We took apart VCR’s, patched bike tires, put faucets, flashlights and locks together and made things from wood. One day during this “shop" class I was watching kids play with Lincoln Logs and, for no apparent reason, thought, “wouldn’t it be cool if... (posted by Jack 3 years 354 days ago.)
As a builder and newly minted preschool teacher I found children loved activities I was able to create from the world of tools, building and fixing. We took apart VCR’s, patched bike tires, put faucets, flashlights and locks together and made things from wood. One day during this “shop" class I was watching kids play with Lincoln Logs and, for no apparent reason, thought, “wouldn’t it be cool if... (posted by Jack 3 years 354 days ago.)
Woodworking with Kids
The excitement and interest of my own kids about using tools, about building, and about woodworking taught me how competent kids could be and inspired me to do volunteer woodworking at my sons’ school. My plan was for the children to arrive with an idea of something to build and I would help them build it. From woodworking with my own kids I knew enough to collect a workbench, kid-sized tools, and some scrap wood. ... (posted by Jack 3 years 354 days ago.)
The excitement and interest of my own kids about using tools, about building, and about woodworking taught me how competent kids could be and inspired me to do volunteer woodworking at my sons’ school. My plan was for the children to arrive with an idea of something to build and I would help them build it. From woodworking with my own kids I knew enough to collect a workbench, kid-sized tools, and some scrap wood. ... (posted by Jack 3 years 354 days ago.)
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